Second Lieutenant John E. Butts

Second Lieutenant John E. Butts heroically led his platoon against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 14, 16, and 23 June 1944. Painfully wounded on the 14th near Orglandes and again on the 16th while spearheading an attack to establish a bridgehead across the Doueve River, he refused medical aid and remained with his platoon. A week later, near Flottemanville Hague, he led an assault on a tactically important and stubbornly defended hill studded with tanks, anti-tank guns, pillboxes, and machine gun emplacements and protected by concentrated artillery and mortar fire. As the attack began, he was critically wounded by German machine gun fire at the head of his platoon. Though weakened by his injuries, he rallied his men and directed one squad to make a flanking movement while he alone made a frontal assault to draw the hostile fire upon himself. Struck again, he continued to crawl ahead by grim determination and sheer courage, and when within ten yards of his objective, he was killed by direct fire. His superb courage, unflinching valor, and inspiring actions enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong-point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion's mission.

Medina, New York · United States